Low profile cold weather respirator

ABSTRACT

A low profile cold weather respirator in which a body of heat conductive foraminous material adapted to be supported over either the nose or mouth or both of the wearer is encased in an envelope adapted to be held on the wearer&#39;&#39;s head by a strap or the like and is adapted to form a seal with the wearer&#39;&#39;s face so that inhaled air is drawn into the cup through the envelope and into heat exchange relationship with the heat conductive material as it enters the space enclosed by the respirator and so that exhaled breath passes outwardly through the heat conductive material.

United States Patent [191 De Angelis et a]. June 4, 1974 [541 LowPROFILE cou) WEATHER 3,603,315 9/1971 Becker 128/1462 RESPIRATOR FOREIGNPATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [75] inventors: Armand De Angelis, Southbridge,912,659 5/1954 Germany 128/1462 Mass; Albert J. Laliberte, South 416,4099/1934 Great Britain 128/1466 Woodstock, Conn. 1,142 1/1904 GreatBritain 128/146.6 [73] Assignee: Omnitech lnc., Southbridge, Mass.Primary Examiner Richard A Gaudet [22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1972 AssistantExaminerLee S. Cohen [21 1 p No 240 Attorney, Agent, or FirmShenier &O'Connor [57] ABSTRACT n u v I I i I u p i v v u A a n n 4 s n e I v v 1r u v [58] Field of Search 128/212, 208, 205, 146.2,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 603,021 4/1898 Dight 128/212702,481 6/1902 Reid 128/1421) 2,201,315 5/1940 Lehhberg 128/14663,170,461 2/1965 Watts, Jr 128/1462 3,326,214 6/1967 McCoy 128/2123,491,754 l/l970 Weese 128/212 supported over either the nose or mouthor both of the wearer is encased in an envelope adapted to be held onthe wearers head by a strap or the like and is adapted to form a sealwith the wearers face so that inhaled air is drawn into the cup throughthe envelope and into heat exchange relationship with the heatconductive material as it enters the space enclosed by the respiratorand so that exhaled breath passes outwardly through the heat conductivematerial.

8 4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 1 LOW PROFILE COLD WEATHER RESPIRATORBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Under extremely cold conditions inhalationof air causes great discomfort and may even cause injury to the mucousmembranes and lungs. Efforts have been made in the prior art to overcomethis problem. For example, apparatus has been designed to direct inhaledair over an electrically energized heat element or the like before it isdrawn into the mouth. It has also been proposed that incoming air bebrought into heat exchange relationship with a heat exchanger heated byexhaled carbon dioxide.

Devices of the prior art designed to overcome the problems inherent incold weather respiration embody a number of defects. Some of themrequire a source of electrical energy for a heater or the like. All ofthem are cumbersome in use. They are complicated in construction, heavyand expensive to make.

We have invented a low profile cold weather respirator which overcomesthe defects pointed out hereinabove of cold-weather breathing apparatusof the prior art. Our respirator does not require a source of energysuch as a battery. It is comfortable in use and not cumbersome. It issimple in construction and in operation. It is light. It is inexpensiveto manufacture for the result achieved thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide a lowprofile cold weather respirator which overcomes the defects of coldweather breathing apparatus of the prior art.

Another object of our invention is to provide a low profile cold weatherrespirator which permits the user to breathe without discomfort or harmeven under conditions of extreme cold.

A further object of our invention isto provide a low profile coldweather respirator which is comfortable in use and not cumbersome.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a low profile coldweather respirator which is lightweight.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a low profile coldweather respirator which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Other and further objects of our invention will ap pear in the followingdescription.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a low profilecold weather respirator in which foraminous heat conductive material isenclosed in an envelope of material adapted to be held over the wearersnose and mouth. so as to cause cold air being drawn into the cup to passinto heat exchange relationship with the conductive material which isheated by exhaled breath. Preferably our respirator is so constructed asto cause incoming air to travel along a tortuous path through theforminous material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings whichform part of the instant specification and which are to be read inconjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of our low profile cold weatherrespirator.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the form of our low profile cold weatherrespirator shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of our low profile cold weather respiratortaken along the line 3--l of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of our lowprofile cold weather respirator.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the form of our coldweather'respirator illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the form of our cold weather respiratorillustrated in FIG. 4 and taken along the line 6-6 thereof.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a further form of our cold weatherrespirator.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of yet another form of our cold weatherrespirator.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the form of our respirator shown in FIG.8, taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT erally by the referencecharacter 10, includes a body.

indicated generally by the reference character 12, of foraminous heatconductive material. The body 12, for example, may be made up of aplurality of layers 14, I6 and 18 of aluminum screening or the like. Informing the body 12, the screening making up the layers l4, l6 and 18 iscut and bent as necessary to form a cup-like shape adapted to fit overthe nose and mouth of the wearer.

In the form of our respirator shown in FIGS. I and 2, we enclose thebody 12 in an envelope made up of inner and outer layers or shells 20and 22 of any suitable material which relatively readily permits thepassage of air therethrough while offering some resistance to thepassage of moisture therethrough. For example,

the layers 20 and 22 may be formed from a relatively thin sheet offoamed natural or synthetic rubber. Each of the shells is cut and formedto the general configuration of body 12 so that shell 20 fits within thebody and shell 22 fits over the outside of the body. The edges of thetwo layers 20 and 22 extend somewhat beyond the edges of the body 12.The facing surfaces of the layers 20 and 22 adjacent to the peripheriesthereof are secured together by any suitable means such as by anadhesive, so that the periphery of the respirator 10 forms a seal withthe wearers face when it is applied to the wearers head in a manner tobe described.

We employ any suitable means known to the art for holding the respirator10 on the wearers head and over his nose and mouth. For example, we mayapply male snap elements 24 to the layers 20 and 22 adjacent theperipheries thereof at suitable locations around the edge of therespirator 10. Each of a pair of strap elements 26 and 28 carries afemale snap element 30 adapted to receive an element 24 detachably tohold the strap 26 or 28 in place. The ends of the two straps 26 and 28may be received in a buckle 32 to permit adjustment of the effectivelength of the band formed by the two straps. We may make the straps fromany suitable material such, for example, as rubber strip. If desired, wemay place more than one element 24 on each side of the mask so as topermit some adjustment of the positions at which the straps 26 and 28are attached to the respirator.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6, an alternate formof our respirator,indicated generally by the reference character 34 includes a body,indicated generally by the reference character 36 which is ofsubstantially the same construction as is the body 12. That is, it ismade up of foraminous heat conductive material so formed as to provide acup-like shape adapted to enclose a space around the wearers nose andmouth when the respirator is in use. The material of which the body 36is made has sufficient structural strength to maintain its shape innormal use.

In the form of our mask illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, we may firstenclose the body 36 in an envelope including inner and outer layers orshells 38 and 40 of a material which is the same as that of which thelayers and 22 are formed. Moreover, shells 38 and 40 are adhered aroundtheir outer edges in the same manner as are shells 20 and 22. In theform of our mask illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 we cause the incoming airto travel a tortuous path as it moves into the space enclosed by therespirator. In order to achieve this result, we may apply a first piece42 of material relatively impervious to air over the front of the layer40 by any suitable means such as by an adhesive or the like. Moreover,we apply a strip 44 to the layer 38 around the inside of the wall of therespirator. The strip 44, like the layer 42, is relatively impervious tothe passage of air. It may be adhered to the layer 38 by any suitablemeans such as by an adhesive. Each of the layer 42 and'strip 44 may, forexample, be formed from a relatively dense felt or tightly woven fabric.As will be explained more fully hereinbelow, the form of our respiratorshown in FIGS. 4 to 6 forces entering air to travel a tortuous path asit moves into the respirator chamber so as to ensure good heat exchangewith the material of body 36.

Referring now to FIG. 7, yet another form of our respirator, indicatedgenerally by the reference character 46, includes a body 48 which issubstantially the same as are bodies 12 and 36. In this form of theinvention, however, an envelope, indicated generally by the referencecharacter 50 is formed from inner and outer shells 52 and 54 of amaterial which is inherently substantially impervious to the passage ofair. The layers 52 and 54 are joined around the peripheries thereof byany suitable means. In this form of our invention, we provide the sideof the outer layer with a plurality of perforations 56 for admitting airinto the envelope 50 around the side thereof. Similarly, we form thecentral portion of the inner layer 52 with perforations 58 for admittingair into the space enclosed by the respirator;

While we have, in connection with the showings of FIGS. 4 to 7,described arrangements in which the side of the outer envelope layerpermits the passage of air therethrough and the central portion does notreadily permit the passage of air, andan inner envelope layer in whichthe central portion permits the passage of air while the side wall doesnot, we might as well reverse the arrangement, permitting air to passonly through the central portion of the outer layer and only through theside portion of the inner layer. Alternatively, we may form the centralportion of each layer from a different material than that of the sidethereof soas to give us the required differential air permeability toachieve the desired result.

All of the forms of our respirator described thus far are adapted to beworn over both the nose and the mouth of the user. Some individualssuffer from disabilities which cause their physicans to instruct them tobreathe only through the mouth. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 we haveshown a form of our respirator intended for use by such a person. Thisrespirator, indicated generally by the reference character 60, is madeup of an outer shell or housing 62 and an inner shell or cover securedto a peripheral flange 66 around the outer shell 62 by any suitablemeans such as an adhesive. We make the members 62 and 64 from anysuitable material such, for example, as a relatively rigid plastic.Members 62 and 64 house a plurality of layers of foraminous heatconductive material such as aluminum screening making up a body 68.Openings 70 and 72 in the sides of the shell 62 permit air and breath topass into and out of the space enclosed by the shells 62 and 64. Holes74 in the inner shell 64 permit air and breath to pass through theshell. As is the case with the forms of our invention shown in FIGS. 4to 7 air is thus forced into good heat exchange relationship with thematerial making up body 68. Preferably we adhere or otherwise attach aseal 76 of foam rubber strip or the like around the inner periphery ofthe mask 60. A strap 78 permits the mask to be held on the head.

In use of the form of our low profile respirator illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2, the respirator is placed over the wearers nose and mouth and theband formed by straps 26 and 28 is drawn over the back of the wearershead soas effectively to hold the respirator in position. As the userexhales, the heat of his breath heats the heat conductive body 12.Moreover, a certain amount of moisture is trapped within the spaceformed by the respirator. As he exhales, cold air is brought into heatexchange relationship with the body 12 so as to be heated thereby. It isconditioned by the moisture within the respirator.

In use of the forms of our respirator illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, airbeing drawn into the respirator is forced to pass through the wall ofthe envelope outer layer and along a tortuous path through the body 36or 48 and into the respirator through the central airpermeable portionof the inner envelopelayer. The arrange'ment-can be reversed, so thatincoming air passes through the central portion to the outer-envelopelayer and through the wall of the inner envelope layer. The action ofthis form of our invention in heating and conditioning incoming air issubstantially the same as that of the form of our invention shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The heat exchange, however, is more efficient.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided a cold weather respirator which overcomes thedisadvantages of cold weather breathing apparatus of the prior art. Ourrespirator does not require an energy source. It is convenient to useand not cumbersome. It is lightwieght. It is simple in construction andis relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within'the scope of ourclaims. It is further obviousthat various changes may be made in detailswithin the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of ourinvention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our invention is notto be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim l. A cold weatherrespirator for assisting a wearer in breathing in a cold atmosphereincluding in combination, a foraminous body of thermally conductivematerial, said body having a cup-like configuration providing a centralportion and a peripheral portion, said body adapted to extend over andto cover the nose and mouth of a wearer when said respirator is inposition on the wearers head, an envelope covering said body, saidenvelope comprising an inner panel conforming to the shape of the insideof said body and an outer panel conforming to the shape of the outsideof said body, one of said panels being bidirectionally pervious to thepassage of air over the peripheral portion of said body and imperviousto the passage of air over the central portion of said body, the otherof said panels being bidirectionally pervious to the passage of air overthe central portion of said body and impervious to the passage of airover theperipheral portion of said body to cause inhaled air to travelin heat exchange relationship with said body along a path between saidpervious portions and to cause exhaled breath to travel in heat exchangerelationship with said body along a path between said pervious portions,and means for holding said body on the wearers head with the bodycovering the nose and mouth of the wearer.

2. A cold weather respirator as in claim 1 in which said thermallyconductive material is metal screening.

thereof.

1. A cold weather respirator for assisting a wearer in breathing in acold atmosphere including in combination, a foraminous body of thermallyconductive material, said body having a cup-like configuration providinga central portion and a peripheral portion, said body adapted to extendover and to cover the nose and mouth of a wearer when said respirator isin position on the wearer''s head, an envelope covering said body, saidenvelope comprising an inner panel conforming to the shape of the insideof said body and an outer panel conforming to the shape of the outsideof said body, one of said panels being bidirectionally pervious to thepassage of air over the peripheral portion of said body and imperviousto the passage of air over the central portion of said body, the otherof said panels being bidirectionally pervious to the passage of air overthe central portion of said body and impervious to the passage of airover the peripheral portion of said body to cause inhaled air to travelin heat exchange relationship with said body along a path between saidpervious portions and to cause exhaled breath to travel in heat exchangerelationship with saId body along a path between said pervious portions,and means for holding said body on the wearer''s head with the bodycovering the nose and mouth of the wearer.
 2. A cold weather respiratoras in claim 1 in which said thermally conductive material is metalscreening.
 3. A cold weather respirator as in claim 1 in which saidpanels comprise foam rubber sheets extending over the inner and outersurfaces of said body, said one panel comprising a piece ofair-impervious material extending over the central portion thereof, saidother panel comprising an air-impervious strip extending around theperipheral portion thereof.
 4. A cold weather respirator as in claim 1in which said panels comprise relatively rigid inner and outer shells ofair-impervious material, said one panel being perforated in the centralportion thereof; said other panel being perforated in the peripheralportion thereof.